June 2026
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This month, two of Joseph Wright of Derby’s most celebrated masterpieces will be reunited in the artist’s hometown for the first time in 80 years—forming the centrepiece of a new exhibition. Opened at Derby Museum & Art Gallery on 13 June 2026, Joseph Wright: From the Shadows is the world’s first exhibition dedicated to Wright’s famous candlelight paintings. Free to the public in Derby, the exhibition brings together twenty-one items from Derby Museums’ internationally significant Wright collection alongside the return of An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump (1768) on loan from The National Gallery, London. Displayed next to Derby’s own A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery in which a Lamp is put in the Place of the Sun (1766), the pairing reunites two of the most iconic images in British art—seen together in Derby now for the first time since 1947. Widely regarded as one of the most exciting and innovative painters of the 18th century, Wright’s paintings capture dramas of spectatorship and learning; when science is theatre, discovery is spectacle, and human curiosity is at its most profound. Here, we see demonstrations of the workings of the Solar System and the properties of air and its importance to life. Two 17th-century Dutch candlelight paintings, The Concert by Hendrick ter Brugghen and A Man Offering Gold and Coins to a Girl by Godfried Schalcken, now also join the show on loan from the National Gallery, to explore Wright’s wider influences for the first time. Wright’s rarely seen An Academy by Lamplight (1769, private collection) will also join, supported by the National Gallery Trust. The exhibition loans are supported by the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund. The paintings’ return to Derby—where Wright was born and built his career—marks a significant cultural moment for the UK’s summer arts calendar. The exhibition follows an acclaimed ticketed presentation at The National Gallery in 2025, before arriving in Derby for its final, uniquely meaningful chapter. Alongside the exhibition, Derby Museums will launch a city-wide celebration of Wright’s legacy, including a new self-guided trail through places connected to the artist’s life and work, as well as partnerships with local businesses to welcome visitors exploring Derby as a summer cultural destination. The celebration marks the finale of Derby’s Year of Wright, which began with the exhibition Life on Paper exploring the artist’s lifelong love of drawing. Lucy Bamford, Senior Curator for Art at Derby Museums, said: “These paintings are among the most powerful. They are unforgettable images of British art. Seeing them reunited in Derby—where Wright’s story began—is a rare and inspiring experience. From the Shadows in Derby offers both local and national audiences the chance to take a closer look at Wright’s extraordinary mastery of light, drama, and human emotion in this landmark touring exhibition”. Tony Butler, Executive Director of Derby Museums, said: “This exhibition places Derby at the centre of one of the most significant cultural moments of summer 2026. It is a celebration not only of Joseph Wright’s legacy but of the city that shaped one of Britain’s most original artistic voices. Our Year of Wright finale will show that there is no Wright without Derby.” Derby Museums is grateful to its generous supporters who have made this exhibition possible: the government’s Museum Renewal Fund via The Weston Loan programme, Arts Council England, the National Gallery Trust, organised by Garfield Weston with Art Fund, The Ampersand Foundation, as well as a small number of individual supporters. Sophia Weston, Deputy Chair of the Garfield Weston Foundation, said: “The Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund, currently celebrating its tenth year, is the first ever UK-wide funding scheme to enable smaller and local authority museums to borrow art and artefacts from national collections. We are delighted that it is supporting the display of these important works in Derby, as part of this timely exploration of Joseph Wright’s candlelight paintings.” Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, said: “Derby is known for its rich heritage of making, and this history is captured by Joseph Wright in his many and varied works of art. It’s great to be supporting Derby Museums in celebrating the ‘Year of Wright’ through the Museums Renewal Fund, encouraging national audiences to discover one of Britain’s most important artists in his hometown of Derby.” The Trustees of the National Gallery Trust said: “The National Gallery Trust is delighted to support From the Shadows in Derby with marketing and loan costs, enabling a rarely seen version of Academy by Lamplight to travel to Derby” Flor Souto, CEO of The Ampersand Foundation said: “At The Ampersand Foundation, we are proud to support Derby Museums in reuniting some of Joseph Wright’s most celebrated works in the artist’s hometown. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity for audiences to experience these remarkable paintings together, and we are pleased to help bring its design to life.” Joseph Wright: From the Shadows runs from 13 June to 1 November 2026 at Derby Museum & Art Gallery. It is curated by Christine Riding at the National Gallery and Lucy Bamford at Derby Museums. Admission is free. Please credit all attached images © Derbymuseums/Pictoria pictures For further press information, interviews, or images, please contact: Jenny Lea — jenny@culturecommscollective.com | 07787 773344 Morag Wood — morag@culturecommscollective.com | 07976 081004 |
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Early summer is the perfect time to reconnect with natures quiet rhythms. As borders burst into colour, National Trust gardens in summer invite visitors to slow down and linger a little longer. Take in the sights and scents of flowers in full bloom and pause for a moment finding a peaceful escape from the pace of everyday life. Visitors can while away hours in the sunshine meandering along tree-lined paths, through formal gardens and historic parterres, or basking in the warmth of walled kitchen gardens. Shady orchards are home to heritage varieties of fruit trees, and wildflower meadows buzz with life. Enjoy a solo stroll or share the moment with family and friends and pack a picnic for a full day out. Each garden is looked after by a team of the charity’s staff and volunteers and is planted to not only add colour and interest, but support wildlife and nature too. To celebrate the colourful, quiet days of early summer, the National Trust has pulled together a list of the best summer gardens to explore now in Peak District and Derbyshire. To find out more visit: Gardens in the Peak District and Derbyshire | National Trust Here are the details for the best summer gardens in Peak District and Derbyshire: Ilam Park, Peak District In summer, the Italianate Garden at Ilam Park provides a colourful focal point beneath the dramatic backdrop of Thorpe Cloud and the surrounding White Peak landscape. Formal planting, sweeping terraces and vibrant seasonal displays bring the historic garden to life, while the peaceful setting beside the River Manifold makes it an ideal place to pause, picnic and take in the views. Ilam Park is open daily, car park charges apply, free for National Trust members. Hardwick, Doe, Lea, Chesterfield Visiting the gardens at Hardwick, open daily. Accessible garden walks, perfect for pushchairs or wheelchair users Picnic under trees in the orchard amongst the wild grass meadow Enjoy early summer colour along the South Border As early summer arrives, the historic gardens of Hardwick are bursting with colour. From the vibrant floral borders to tranquil lawns, Hardwick is the perfect place to find a moment of calm and reconnect with nature. The herbaceous borders are coming into full bloom with displays of alliums, peonies and roses. The fragrant herb garden fills with summer colour and the orchards are a haven of tranquillity. Calke Abbey, Ticknall Visiting Calke Abbey’s garden | Derbyshire | National Trust, open daily. Accessible walks, with buggy rides available to the garden entrance from the main car park Walk beneath the sweetpea arch and relax under dappled shade in the orchard Take a photo of the pelargoniums displayed on the auricula theatre Smell the roses and admire bright colours in the herbaceous borders Calke’s extensive gardens are in full bloom, with the potted pelargoniums taking centre stage on the auricula theatre. The sweetpea arch in the physic garden provides a perfect photo opportunity, and the slip garden is a quiet place to take a seat and enjoy the quiet, awash with colour from the wildflower borders. Find shade under the trees in the Pleasure Grounds, and cool off in the garden tunnels. Kedleston Hall, near Quarndon, Derby Visiting the park at Kedleston | Derbyshire | National Trust, open daily On June 24th and July 21st, discover behind the scenes insights with Kedleston Hall’s gardeners, Evening Garden Tours | National Trust On June 12th and 13th, outdoor theatre arrives with King Arthur and the Holy Fail, Outdoor Theatre at Kedleston Hall – King Arthur and the Holy Fail | National Trust Leisurely strolls through vibrant 18th century Pleasure Ground flower beds Garden walks with accessibility, ideal for wheelchair users and pushchairs Historic features such as an 18th century Portland stone lion, an orangery and Summer House. Enjoy sweeping views towards the house and surrounding countryside Rest at a shady spot at the Loggia and enjoy views peering into the garden As summer approaches and sunlight bathes Kedleston Hall’s historic garden, discover picturesque pot displays, scenic house viewpoints, and 18th century beds in full bloom. Across varied garden borders as the season develops, uncover vibrant varieties of echinacea, as well as colour pops of peonies, roses, and lobelia. Rooted in garden grounds for centuries, uncover mature tree species such as oak and flowering sweet chestnut – perfect for finding a shady corner to pause and admire Kedleston’s garden at its best. The Children’s Country House, Sudbury, Ashbourne, DE6 5HT Children’s Country House Garden | Derby | National Trust, check online for summertime opening days An accessible Sunken Garden for pushchair and wheelchair accessibility Stroll along historic terraces highlighted with pots of colour Experience a mindful moment at Lilypond fountain in the centre of the garden Across The Children’s Country House as we head into summer, look out for early colour highlight in flowering alliums. As the season comes into its own, woodland geraniums blossom and terrace beds feature roses in full bloom. At the Sunken Garden, colour will continue to build with clusters of peonies and heuchera. A garden season highlight, don’t miss flowering tree canopies of pink horse chestnut and scented lime trees – ideal for a peaceful spot to rest at out of the summer sun. |
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Join Derbyshire’s No.1 brass band, Derwent Brass, for a spectacular evening of eclectic brass band music, outstanding soloists, iconic classics, music from Brassed Off and a thrilling Proms style finale St. Peter’s Church, Derbyshire, DE56 1EB Saturday 27th June 2026 @ 7.30pm This special fundraising concert supports the band’s historic first appearance at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall later this year. Set within the beautiful surroundings of St Peter’s Church, Belper, the programme will feature audience favourites, film and concert classics, and a flag waving celebration to close the evening in true Proms tradition. The concert will be conducted by Derwent Brass Music Director Emeritus, Keith Leonard. Following a landmark run of success, including qualification for the Championship Section National Final at the Royal Albert Hall, Derwent Brass continues to build a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting and progressive brass bands. Refreshments will be available throughout the evening, including a bar serving wine and soft drinks. Click here to book your tickets 
– thanks to Derby Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) An all-day, free party to celebrate Sadler Gate returns to Derby this summer after last year’s event attracted hundreds of visitors. The Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) is working with the Love Sadler Gate group, representing resident businesses, to organise the Celebrate Sadler Gate on Saturday, June 27. As part of the day, Derby people will be able to enjoy free street entertainment including a live show from high energy, five-piece roaming brass band, King Brasstards from 11.30am. Singing princesses will entertain shoppers outside The Old Bell, there will be face painting for younger visitors, choirs, movie characters on the street, flash sales in some of the shops and new and exciting UV disco for children in Ryders in The Blacksmiths Yard. During the day, there will also be some free, friendly competition where visitors can test their speed and agility on a Batak machine with some great prizes on offer. Former Most Haunted star and Derby ghost expert, Richard Felix, will be offering historical tours and talks to explore the background and history of Sadler Gate. The BID says the Celebrate Sadler Gate event will bring fun to the street and will mark everything that has been achieved on the historic city centre street in the last few years. Resident businesses in Sadler Gate will also contribute to the celebration and entertain shoppers with a range of activities and special offers. Last year, there were live DJ sets, acoustic music, a kids disco and many more elements that continued into the evening, as the street swapped its daytime retail focus into its vibrant night-time atmosphere. Brad Worley, BID Manager for Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter, said: “Celebrate Sadler Gate is one of our favourites of the year. “We are always excited about this free event, and we look forward to seeing everyone there.” |
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Darley Dale Band at Exile Music Festival Sunday 28 June | 1:00pm | Sabine Hay Farm Enjoy an afternoon of live music as Darley Dale Band performs at the popular Exile Music Festival at Sabine Hay Farm. Set in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, the festival offers a relaxed atmosphere and a varied programme of entertainment, making it a great day out for music lovers and families alike. Darley Dale Band is currently preparing for a busy season of performances across Derbyshire, with appearances at local festivals, community events and Christmas celebrations already scheduled throughout the year. About Darley Dale Band Darley Dale Band has enjoyed a successful revival in recent years, attracting players from Darley Dale and s urrounding towns and villages who share a passion for making music together. The band performs to a high standard while maintaining a friendly and welcoming atmosphere , with several members bringing Championship Section experience to support returning and developing musicians. The band's varied programme has included village carnivals, community concerts, Remembrance events, church performances and appearances with the Darley Dale Twinning Association. Originally formed in 1880, the band has a long and proud history and continues to grow its reputation as one of Derbyshire's most popular community brass bands. More Darley Dale Band Performances If you can't make this performance, Darley Dale Band will also be appearing at: • Concert at Barringtons, Darley Dale – Sunday 9 August at 7:00pm • Remembrance Sunday at the Whitworth Centre, Darley Dale – Sunday 8 November at 3:00pm • Winster Christmas Lights – Sunday 6 December from 5:30pm • Christmas Concert with Holymoorside Choral Society, St John's Church, Walton – Saturday 12 December at 7:30pm Sunday 28th June at 1pm – Sabine Hay Farm: Exile Music Festival To get intouch , click here |
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